Death crash tram was doing four times speed limit when it derailed

‘A lot more than driver error’

PASSengerS on a speeding tram were killed after they were ‘ejected’ through its broken windows when it crashed, a report said yesterday.

The investigation also revealed that the tram was travelling at nearly four times the 13mph speed limit when it overturned on a bend.

Seven people died and 51 were injured when the tram derailed in heavy rain and slid for 25 metres shortly after 6am in Croy- don, south London, last november. The report, compiled by the rail Accident Investigation Branch, revealed that of the passengers who died, only one was found inside the tram after it crashed at 46mph.

Two of the victims were found partially inside the tram, three were underneath it, and another was found on the track close by, the inquiry said.

The report added: ‘Initial indications are that a number of passengers with fatal or serious injuries had been ejected, or partially ejected, from the tram through broken windows. The late application of the brakes, and the absence of emergency braking, suggests that the driver had lost awareness that he was approaching the tight, left-hand curve.’

It said that there was ‘no sign to indicate to drivers where they should begin to apply the brake’, as they ‘were expected to know this from their knowledge of the route.’ Around 70 passengers were on the two-carriage tram when it crashed. Patrick Freeman, 62, who fractured his shoulder in the crash, said: ‘It didn’t slow down and the next thing it was crash, bang, wallop. Lights out. Mayhem. Screaming, everyone screaming.’

Mr Freeman says he has been unable to return to work laying paving stones and is angry at a lack of financial help from Transport for London. He says he is now relying on his savings to pay his rent.

Last night it was claimed that a picture of ‘ systematic errors’ leading up to the crash was emerging, while lawyers called for more answers on the driver’s role. The tram driver, Alfred Dorris, 42, from Beckenham, south- east London, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of manslaughter before being bailed until May.

Solicitor Trevor Sterling, who represents some of the injured, said he was ‘very surprised and concerned’ at the information that was still unavailable three months on.

Susana gaiao, whose partner was on the tram, said: ‘everyone wanted to blame the driver when this all happened, but we feel there was a lot more than driver error.’

London’s Transport Commissioner Mike Brown said extra speed restrictions and associated signage had been introduced on the route.

The full accident report is expected to be published later this year.